Nissan appears to be considering adorning the Leaf with a NISMO nameplate and appearance. Unveiled on Monday at Nissan’s Futures 3.0 event, the stock 2018 model provides improved performance, range, and less nerdy looks. However, Nissan wants further improve the Leaf’s image with a NISMO-trimmed variant.
Oh goodie.
While we get that economy models can morph into fun-to-drive little darlings, we also scrunched our noses at Toyota’s performance-enhanced GR Prius last month. Not every car can be the next GTI and, if automakers would like to build something that could be, they’ll have to provide us with more than a bodykit and a set of custom wheels.
However, that’s what Nissan is likely to give us with the NISMO Leaf. Like the Prius GR Sport, Nissan is going to equip the model with tough-looking bumpers, red-bordered side skirts, and some unique wheels. According to Autocar, brand design chief Alfonso Albaisa said a NISMO variant would help fix the Leaf’s reserved image.
“The previous Leaf’s design wasn’t popular with the majority of people,
so its look couldn’t contribute to sales,”
he said. “The new car
is lower, wider and sportier, with the point
of this design being to
get greater accessibility of the market.”
Nissan already has a track version of the little EV called the Nismo Leaf RC. However, the performance prototype has little in common with the production vehicle. Depleted of its rear doors, back seat, audio system, carpeting, and practically every other creature comfort one might expect on a passenger car, the RC is Nissan’s attempt and showcasing the possibility of an environmentally friendly track car.
Its carbon fiber monocoque design is about as impractical for daily use as it gets. The windows don’t even roll down and its electric motors push the rear wheels instead of the front. Nissan claims the car can reach 62 mph in roughly 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 93 mph — not exactly what you might expect from a race vehicle. It also has a battery life of around 20 minutes under racing conditions.
With battery life tapered to a length shorter than an episode of Family Matters, one wonders how long a road-going NISMO Leaf would last while being given “the beans.” While the RC prototype uses the old Leaf’s tech, the new model has improved output and range. Still, it might not be enough keep any would-be racer from immediately draining the power pack.
An improved performance model of the next-generation Leaf will arrive in 2019, however. The “Leaf E-Plus” will come equipped with a higher-capacity battery pack and a stiffer overall structure. Presumably, any performance upgrades the Leaf might see through NISMO will come through that version of the little EV.
Albaisa said it would be “easy” to develop NISMO parts for the Leaf. However, the prospect of any of those affecting its powertrain are dubious. We expect to see a performance-badged electric with some different bodywork, upgraded tires, and maybe some stiffer springs. And, when that model arrives, we’ll probably still be scratching our heads as to why Nissan thought it was a good idea.
Nissan says the prototype will be on display at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, along with a cadre of other Nismo variants representative of the brand’s planned global expansion.
“Nissan claims the car can reach 62 mph in roughly 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 93 mph — not exactly what you might expect from a race vehicle. It also has a battery life of around 20 minutes under racing conditions.”
My former Gen 1 Leaf had the same top speed and battery duration at full power. I suppose if it was stripped of all non-essential weight it could have hit 60 in 6.8 seconds, as well.
Hardly innovative, Nissan.
Yes, there is a way to build a performance-oriented electric vehicle. This isn’t it.
Wider tires, stiffer suspension, crisp steering — EVs can take advantage of those improvements, just like other cars. They’re gifts that keep on giving, every mile of every day… unlike track speed and acceleration, which can only be utilized for brief moments on the road, or by the lucky few who can buy track time and don’t mind measuring tire life in months.
I’m not expecting my future EV to be a track car, but just a good car.
NISMO all the things! When does the NISMO Quest minivan come out?
There’d have to be a new Quest for that to happen. However, I think it would make much more sense than this abomination.
If it meant a Quest with the Nissan GTR drive-train I’d be all for it!
NISMO Versa!
On second thought…no. Just no.
I have no issues with things Nismo, even if this means looks only. Sort of like F-Sport.
I still think the Leaf will be one of the top cars for high school motoring and this one will have some coolness associated with it.
I kind of like the looks of it, but yeah, the practicality seems a bit off…..
“…Toyota’s performance-enhanced GR Prius…”
Nonsense. Its an aesthetically enhanced Prius, there is no performance gain, unless you count a worse ride as enhancing performance (and judging by the number of teenager-owned econoboxes with cut springs over the years, obviously there are some that do).
Excellent observation. A similar thing happened at the last track day: a new comer was in the garage next to us. He observed how our small group that hangs out together consisting of a Golf R, my 350Z, an M3, two Miatas (of course) and a S2000 were all “modded” but only with logical, usable upgrades. Things like light weight wheels, bigger brakes, cooling and minor aero tweaks. There are no huge exhausts, nothing is lowered, no huge wings or silly stickers. He felt his unmodified Mustang fit in better with our track group then the standard “performance” crowd, which in really is just a bunch of posers that clearly spend way too much time at Pep Boys on useless, tacked on, purely visual stuff. Similar to this NISMO Leaf.
Lipstick on a pig.
When I hear about battery-powered RC cars, this isn’t what comes to mind.
LOL, I had an electric RC racing car. It cost about $400, plus the batteries and handheld RC unit.
First time I took it to the track, I ran into a wall within 32 seconds, which eviscerated 80% of the front suspension pieces. That cost $100 to fix. Eventually I got good enough that each trip to the track only cost $50 or so in repairs.
And then one day, it decided to stop responding to its’ radio control, ran into a puddle, and fried its’ brain.
I guess it was tired of all the pain. Or perhaps it was guilty about bankrupting me.
The nitro powered RC cars are wicked quick. I assume their owners all have trust funds.
This is a companion to the NISMO Note, which has been sold in Japan for years. I highly highly doubt it’ll be sold beyond the JDM.
How they gonna do better (regenerative,) brakes?
Recaro chairs can limit next owner appeal. Not everybody wants butt-painful side bolsters getting in and out.
Will Leaf Nismo have two motors and awd?
My 12 Leaf had excellent brakes, with 2-piston calipers up front. It stopped quite well, but then again it was a small car that weighed 3400 lbs due to the battery.
Interestingly, my 13 Optima Hybrid weighs the same as that Leaf, but its brakes are only adequate (single-piston calipers). Both cars have regen, but of course that means nothing in a panic stop.